Adrian College Names Vice President & Dean of Academic Affairs posted 12/17/09
Dr. Agnes Caldwell receives promotion

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is pleased to announce that Dr. Agnes I. Caldwell, who has been serving as interim Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs since June 2009, is being promoted. She will act as permanent Vice President and Dean effective January 1, 2010.

After serving in the interim status for the past six months, the administration decided she is the ideal candidate for this important position at the College.

“Dr. Caldwell is the perfect choice to fill this critical role at Adrian College,” said President Jeffrey R. Docking. “Her years in the classroom combined with her outstanding administrative abilities will continue the rapid improvements that have distinguished the College in recent years.”

In her 12 years at Adrian College, Dr. Caldwell has distinguished herself as a faculty development specialist, outstanding educator and mentor. Under her leadership, the College was recently re-accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and was invited by Wabash College to consult on Adrian’s outstanding faculty development program.

"I am excited to lead the Division of Academic Affairs at Adrian College,” says Caldwell. “We have an excellent faculty and staff here. It will be a pleasure to work closely with everyone in accomplishing our Renaissance II goals and further academic enhancements.”

Caldwell is the two-time recipient of Adrian College's Outstanding Service Learning Award given through Michigan Campus Compact and was nationally recognized for her work in academic service learning at the International Conference on Teaching, Learning and Technology in 2007.

President Docking speaks highly of Caldwell in regards to her relationships with faculty, staff and students.

“Agnes Caldwell is a strong faculty advocate and a person who puts students first in all decisions,” he said. “The College is fortunate to have a person of her intellect and ability to lead academic efforts.”

Faculty members are excited and agree that Caldwell will continue to do a great job in leading the College’s academic affairs division during these important years. 

“Dr. Agnes Caldwell is bright, talented and hard working,” said Dr. Donald Cellini, professor of modern languages and cultures. “In the first semester as Interim Dean and VP she has done an entire year's worth of work.  She'll be an excellent Academic Dean and VP.”

Dr. Melissa Stewart, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, agrees saying the College is lucky to have an administrator with such an extensive background in the classroom.

"Because of Agnes' experience in the classroom, she understands what a professor needs to do a good job, and she has the administrative and diplomatic skills to get things done,” said Stewart. “It is rare that someone can move up and lead one's own colleagues. But Agnes is that rare exception."

Caldwell earned her Ph.D. from Wayne State University where she studied social movements and community organizing and development. She completed her undergrad work as well as her master’s degree at the University of Toledo.

She is currently the lead author of a book being piloted in the $100,000 Council of Independent College’s/Wal-Mart grant working with first generation college students at Adrian College. She is also the editor of the ASA's Teaching Guide to Higher Order Thinking in the Classroom and former chair of the Midwest Sociological Society Committee on Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Caldwell resides in Toledo, Ohio with her family. She is married to Timothy Wilson and they have two children, Abigail and Owen.